The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is a U.S. Treasury Department agency that manages economic and trade sanctions programs. These sanctions target foreign countries, individuals, companies, and organizations deemed threats to national security or U.S. interests. Sanctions can take various forms, from freezing assets held by sanctioned entities to restricting trade or travel with them.

Companies may attempt to hide transactions with sanctioned entities, making violations difficult to detect. Employees working in international trade, finance, or compliance have firsthand knowledge of such activity. The types of violations whistleblowers might report can range from illegal trade with sanctioned countries to providing goods or services to them, or even attempts to disguise transactions to circumvent sanctions. Their information can trigger investigations, penalties for violators, and ultimately a more effective sanctions regime. Recent legal changes have bolstered protections and potential rewards for whistleblowers who report OFAC violations.